TechCapsules

Former Windows boss mocks Windows 8’s touch critics as Apple readies a…

Former Windows chief Steven Sinofsky mocked Windows 8’s touch‑screen laptops on X, questioning Apple’s rumored OLED MacBook Pro that may debut a touch display at its October 28 “Pro and Tell” event. Apple has long rejected touch screens for MacBooks, citing arm fatigue, yet the company is reportedly close to unveiling a vertical‑screen model. The move would position Apple as a late entrant to a market Microsoft pioneered in 2012 with Surface devices.

💡 Apple’s potential touchscreen MacBook could redefine laptop ergonomics, challenging long‑standing design norms and sparking a new debate over user comfort versus innovation.

Giant iPhone Duo installations spotted at Apple Fifth Avenue ahead of Friday…

Apple’s flagship Fifth Avenue store in New York has begun preparing for the Friday launch of the iPhone Duo, installing several large rectangular structures near the glass cube entrance. The installations, still covered in black cloth and white protective wrapping, appear to be giant iPhone Duo models, echoing past launch displays such as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 18 Pro. While no lines have formed outside the Fifth Avenue location, customers are already queuing at other Apple stores. Apple has confirmed that U.S. retail outlets will offer a limited number of Duo units for walk‑in customers on launch day, whereas international stores will provide only online‑order pickup.

💡 The pre‑launch display signals Apple’s confidence in the Duo’s market impact, positioning it as a flagship product. It also highlights the company’s strategy of creating buzz through flagship store theatrics before a wide release.

Apple must open iPhone to alternative app stores in Australia after Epic…

A federal judge in Australia has ordered Apple to allow iPhone users to install apps from third‑party stores and websites by March 1, 2027, following a 235‑page antitrust ruling. Apple must comply or seek an extension until May 3, 2027. The decision cites Apple’s market power in iOS app distribution and payment systems, and requires the company to lift restrictions on alternative payment methods and app installation. Apple will appeal the order.

💡 The ruling forces Apple to dismantle its closed ecosystem in a major market, potentially reshaping how developers distribute and monetize apps on iOS. It signals a shift toward greater competition and consumer choice in mobile app distribution.

iPhone Duo buyers line up days early despite high chance of heartbreak

Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, has sparked global crowds as stores open days before its launch. Fans line up at Apple locations worldwide, including Macau and New York’s Fifth Avenue, despite Apple’s warning of limited retail stock. Preorders are already shipping, with some customers receiving delivery notifications for October 23. The Duo, unveiled at Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” event on September 9, starts at $1,999 and sold out within minutes.

💡 The frenzy underscores consumer demand for high‑end innovation, revealing how scarcity can amplify brand allure and shape retail dynamics.

Gurman: iPhone Duo 2 prototypes with Face ID are already being tested…

Apple is reportedly testing iPhone Duo 2 prototypes that incorporate Face ID under the outer display, a move aimed at addressing early reviewers’ complaints about the first‑generation model’s reliance on Touch ID. According to Mark Gurman on the Power On podcast, the new Face ID sensor is integrated beneath the screen, mirroring the under‑display IR camera seen on the iPhone 18 Pro. Apple is also exploring adding an Action button to the Duo, though its inclusion remains uncertain. The prototypes suggest Apple is preparing a next‑generation foldable for next fall, though a final release date is unconfirmed.

💡 By re‑introducing Face ID to the foldable, Apple could resolve a key usability flaw that hindered adoption of the first‑generation Duo.

Inside the iPhone Duo’s groundbreaking hinge’s innovations

YouTuber HTX Studio performed a CT scan of the iPhone Duo’s hinge, revealing its internal architecture and limits. The scan shows the hinge contains 100 parts arranged in six sections: outer edge hinges, a shaft, interlocking gears, spring‑cam assemblies, and a flex‑cable channel. The device rests between 15° and 145°; magnets snap it shut below 15°, and a lock engages above 145°. Spring‑cam pairs generate frictional torque that resists folding until force is applied, while top‑bottom sections keep both halves synchronized. The bending space measures 3.